Though it’s not much to look at, Ford’s 2012 E-Series E-150 Van is a workhorse full-size cargo carrier that packs almost 238 cubic feet of total cargo area into its boxy frame and 278.6...
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Though it’s not much to look at, Ford’s 2012 E-Series E-150 Van is a workhorse full-size cargo carrier that packs almost 238 cubic feet of total cargo area into its boxy frame and 278.6 cubic feet with the front passenger seat removed. This half-ton rear-wheel-drive (RWD) heavy hauler also offers a choice of two V8 engines and two automatic transmissions, and it can be delivered with a plethora of options for occupant comfort and techno-oriented work solutions.

The 2012 E-150 comes with only bare-bones standard necessities like 16-inch steel wheels, a pair of vinyl captain’s chairs for driver and passenger, tilt-wheel steering, air conditioning and an AM/FM stereo with 2 door-mounted speakers and, new for 2012, a standard auxiliary audio input jack.

Ford, of course, offer a number of work-dedicated options packages for this big van, such as the Work Solutions package with a dash-mounted computer boasting mobile Internet capability and remote file access. The Crew Chief package, meantime, boasts vehicle tracking technology that monitors this big van’s location, speed, idle time and maintenance needs. Then there are numerous available bins, drawers and racks that can be configured to taste, as well as a pair of rear axle ratios, upfitter switches and a towing package with or without an integrated trailer brake controller.

Appearance, comfort and convenience options include alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, second-row bench seating, a single-CD player with 6 speakers and satellite radio, full power accessories and Ford’s popular SYNC hands-free audio and communications system, which can also include a hard-drive-based navigation suite. Most options are available as part of various upgrade packages or in standalone form.

The somewhat under-achieving Flex Fuel (FFV) 4.8-liter V8 remains the standard engine aboard the 2012 E-Series E-150. Mated with the standard 4-speed automatic transmission, this tepid V8 puts out 225 hp and 286 lb-ft of torque, while gas mileage is a meager 13 mpg city/17 highway. Towing, meantime, is maxed out at 6,100 pounds with the proper equipment, which includes an available 4.1 rear axle ratio.

Should a bit more giddyup be desired, a Flex Fuel 5.4-liter V8 powerplant is available to this half-ton beast, with either the standard 4-speed automatic or an available 5-speed automatic managing 255 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. Mileage drops to 12/16, but towing capability increases to 7,500 pounds. Further, this peppy V8 can be configured to burn CNG/LPG (Compressed Natural Gas/Liquid Propane Gas) for a somewhat greener footprint.

Besides its hefty bulk, the 2012 E-Series E-150 boasts standard safety features like 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, and a post-collision safety system. Reverse parking sensors and a rear-view camera are optional safety equipment, with the E-Guard cargo protection system and a remote antitheft alarm as optional security items included among various upgrade packages.

Such amenities include 16-inch steel wheels, vinyl captain’s chairs for driver and passenger, tilt-wheel steering, air conditioning and an AM/FM radio with a pair of stereo speakers. One further standard goody, new this year, is an audio input jack to handle your iPod or MP3 player.

Options-wise, the 2012 E-Series E-250 is eligible for the Ford Work Solutions dash-mounted computer with mobile Internet and remote file retrieval and the Crew Chief vehicle tracking system that logs idle time, vehicle speed, maintenance issues and vehicle location. Customizable upfitter switches and various cargo management configurations of shelves, bins and drawers are additionally available, as is a towing package, along with an integrated trailer brake controller and upgraded sound insulation.

For those wanting a few extra appearance doodads, creature comforts and conveniences, check out the available 16-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, cruise control and power accessories. Ford’s popular SYNC voice-activated audio and communications (with or without hard-drive-based navigation) is also optional, as is a single-CD player with 6 speakers and satellite radio service.

A 4.6-liter Flex Fuel (FFV) V8 engine comes standard in the 2012 E-Series E-250 and mates with a 4-speed automatic transmission for 225 hp and 286 lb-ft of torque. Look for 6,100 pounds of towing with the proper equipment, including an available 4.1 rear axle ratio, but expect mileage to be in the vicinity of 13 mpg city/17 highway from this rear-wheel-drive-only workhorse.

For considerably more go-power, an available 5.4-liter FFV V8 combines with the 4-speed automatic for 255 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, a 5-speed automatic transmission is available for this potent V8. Max towing, meantime, increases to 7,500 pounds, but gas mileage dwindles to 12/16.

Standard safety features in the 2012 E-Series E-250 include 4-wheel antilock braking system (ABS), traction and stability control, and a post-collision safety system. Meanwhile, optional safety and security features include reverse parking sensors and a rear-view camera system, as well as the E-Guard cargo protection system and a passive remote antitheft alarm.

Stretch the base and basic 2012 Ford E-Series E-150 Van from its standard 217 inches overall to 236.4 inches, and behold the E-Series E-150 Ext half-ton full-size cargo van. This box-like brute can carry 278.3 cubic feet of cargo in its ordinary 2-seat configuration, or some 319 cubic feet with the passenger seat removed. Throw in a pair of V8 engines, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) torque and a wealth of options, and you’ve got a van that’ll outwork even the most dedicated draft animal.

Spartan is the operative term for the 2012 E-Series E-150 Ext’s standard appearance, comfort and convenience amenities. Look for 16-inch steel wheels, a pair of vinyl captain’s chairs for driver and passenger, tilt-wheel steering, air conditioning and an AM/FM radio with 2 door-mounted speakers to be included among the more noteworthy features aboard. New this year is a standard audio input jack for iPod and/or MP3 players.

Ford Work Solutions remains a popular option package for this base E-Series Ext trim, containing, as it does, a dash-mounted computer with mobile Internet access and file retrieval. The Crew Chief option, meantime, allows monitoring of vehicle speed, idle time, vehicle location and vehicle maintenance schedules.

Further down-and-dirty options include a towing package with or without an integrated trailer brake controller, almost unlimited storage configurations, including bins, racks and drawers and customizable upfitter switches.

More personable options include cloth upholstery, full power accessories, cruise control, Ford’s popular SYNC voice-activated audio and communications, and a hard-drive-based navigation suite. Finally, satellite radio, a single-CD player with 6 speakers, and additional sound insulation can also be delivered with this workaholic van. Most options are generally available either as part of a package or in standalone form.

The base engine in the 2012 E-Series E-150 Ext is a 4.6-liter Flex Fuel (FFV) V8 that mates with the standard 4-speed automatic transmission for 225 hp and 286 lb-ft of torque. Towing is maxed out at 6,100 pounds with the proper equipment, including an available 4.1 rear axle ratio, while mileage is estimated at 13 mpg city/17 highway.

Additionally available to this base trim is a 5.4-liter FFV V8 powerplant, again tied to the 4-speed automatic. Look for 255 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque from this peppy V8, with towing maxed out at 7,500 pounds, when properly equipped. Alas, mileage drops to 12/16, but there is a 5-speed automatic available with this bigger V8 that might save a drop or two of fuel. This potent V8 can also be configured to burn cleaner CNG/LPG (Compressed Natural Gas/Liquid Propane Gas), if desired.

Safety-wise, the 2012 E-150 Ext sports standard 4-wheel antilock braking (ABS), traction and stability control and a post-collision safety system. Available safety and security features include a rear-view camera and rear parking sensors as part of an upgrade package, not to mention the E-Guard cargo protection system and a passive remote antitheft alarm.

Stretch the 2012 Ford E-Series E-250 van to some 236.4 inches in overall length (though still hunched on the standard 138-inch wheelbase), and check out the E-Series E-250 Ext. This thr...
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Stretch the 2012 Ford E-Series E-250 van to some 236.4 inches in overall length (though still hunched on the standard 138-inch wheelbase), and check out the E-Series E-250 Ext. This three-quarter-ton cargo van accommodates only a driver and front passenger, but can tote 278.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the captain’s-chair front seats or 319.1 cubic feet when the passenger seat is removed. A pair of V8 powerplants, a standard rear-wheel drivetrain (RWD) and plenty of options are also offered with this jumbo van.

The standard powertrain in Ford’s boxy beast of burden is a 4.6-liter Flex-Fuel V8 engine and 4-speed automatic transmission. Expect 225 hp and 286 lb-ft of torque, 6,100 pounds of towing capacity (with the proper equipment, including the available 4.1 rear axle ratio) and 13 mpg city/17 highway from this somewhat undersized V8.

Available to the stretched-out E-Series E-250 Ext, however, is a 5.4-liter FFV V8 that again combines with the 4-speed automatic for 255 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. An available 5-speed automatic transmission can be fitted to this brute, possibly mitigating, marginally, this powerplant’s estimated mileage of 12/16. Towing, meantime, is maxed out at some 7,300 pounds with the proper equipment, including an available 4.1 rear axle ratio.

Those who revel in luxury appointments will be sorely disappointed in the 2012 E-Series E-250 Ext’s Spartan cabin. Vinyl upholstery, tilt-wheel steering, 16-inch steel wheels, air conditioning and an AM/FM radio with 2 speakers constitutes the bulk of notable standard features aboard this workhorse.

Options, on the other hand, abound, with such working-class offerings as Ford’s Work Solutions and Crew Chief strutting a dash-mounted computer with mobile Internet, and various vehicle tracking solutions, respectively. Meanwhile more prosaic extras include a towing package with or without an integrated trailer brake controller, as well as customizable upfitter switches, numerous bin, drawer and shelving options, and added sound insulation.

For those that just have to have more appearance, comfort and convenience add-ons, there are full power accessories, alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, cruise control and upgraded audio, including a single-CD player with 6 speakers and satellite radio. Additionally, the available Sync voice-activated audio and communications system can be delivered with the E-250 Ext, augmented with a hard-drive-based navigation suite and up to a 1-year complementary subscription. All these options, by the way, can be delivered in either package form or as standalone items.

Finally, standard safety equipment includes 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, and a post-collision safety system. Optional safety and security features, meantime, include rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera, as well as Ford’s E-Guard cargo protection system and a passive remote antitheft alarm.

Sporting only 2 vinyl captain’s chairs, tilt-wheel steering, air conditioning and a 2-speaker AM/FM audio setup, this brute doesn’t offer a lot of creature comforts, but fear not—all the fancy stuff can be added as optional equipment.

Said options include cruise control, cloth upholstery, full power accessories, 16-inch alloy wheels, a 6-speaker single-CD player with satellite radio and Sync voice-activated communications, audio and, if desired, hard-drive-based navigation. Most options are delivered either as part of a package or in standalone form.

For the working-class hero, Ford’s popular Work Solutions packages offers a dash-mounted, Internet-ready computer for remote file retrieval and tool inventory as well as the Crew Chief vehicle tracking system, which monitors vehicle idle time, maintenance, location and speed. Finally, customizable upfitter switches, nearly unlimited cargo management systems, a towing package and an integrated trailer brake controller can also be added to the E-Series E-350.

Standard power for the rear-wheel-drive-only (RWD) E-Series E-350 Super Duty is a peppy Flex-Fuel (FFV) 5.4-liter V8 that’s managed by a 4-speed automatic transmission to put out 255 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. A 5-speed automatic is also available with this hefty V8, while this 1-ton heavy hauler can be tricked out to tow up to 9,000 pounds. Alas, mileage, at least with the 4-speed automatic, is a distressing 12 mpg city/16 highway. This workman-like V8 can also be converted to CNG/LPG (Compressed Natural gas/Liquid Propane Gas) operation for a greener working environment.

For the truly power-needy, a 6.8-liter V10 powerplant combines with the standard 5-speed automatic transmission (with tow/haul mode) for 305 hp and a whopping 420 lb-ft of torque. Look for up to 10,000 pounds of towing, with the proper equipment, including an available 4.1 rear axle ratio, while mileage drops to 10/14.

Finally, besides sheer bulk, traditional standard safety features aboard the 2012 E-Series E-350 Super Duty include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control and a post-collision safety system. Optional safety and security features include a rear-view camera and rear parking sensors, as well as Ford’s E-Guard cargo protection system and a passive remote antitheft alarm.

Ordinarily only 216.7 inches in overall length, the 2012 Ford E-Series E-350 Super Duty full-size 1-ton cargo van can be delivered in a stretched, 236.4-inch edition knighted the E-350 Super Duty Ext. This outsize version of Ford’s workhorse van totes some 278.3 cubic feet of total cargo room behind the front captain’s chairs or, with the passenger seat removed, a cavernous total of 319.1 cubic feet. A couple of V8 engines are offered with this hefty hauler, as well as a number of options to help allay its rather Spartan standard features.

Such standard appearance, comfort and convenience features include 16-inch steel wheels, vinyl upholstery, tilt-wheel steering, air conditioning and an AM/FM stereo with 2 speakers.

For utilitarian purposes, Ford’s available Work Solutions package offers a dash-mounted computer with mobile Internet access, remote file retrieval and tool inventory, while the popular Crew Chief option tracks vehicle maintenance, idle time, location and speed. Customizable upfitter switches are also available to this stretched-out van, as are added cabin insulation, a towing package, various configurations of racks, drawers and bins, and an integrated trailer brake controller.

For added driving comfort and convenience, noteworthy optional equipment such as cloth upholstery, second-row bench seating, cruise control and a single-CD player with 6 speakers and satellite radio are available. Most of these extra goodies remain available in either package form or as standalone options.

The standard powertrain in the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) 2012 E-Series E-350 Super Duty Ext is a 255-hp Flex-Fuel (FFV) 5.4-liter V8 engine and 4-speed automatic transmission. Look for 350 lb-ft of torque from this combo, good enough to tow 10,000 pounds with the proper equipment, including an available 4.1 rear axle ratio, but gas mileage is a lowly 12 mpg city/16 highway. Additionally, a 5-speed automatic can be fitted to this peppy V8, and it can also be configured to burn CNG/LPG (Compressed Natural Gas/Liquid Propane Gas) for a somewhat greener footprint.

A monstrous 6.8-liter V10 powerplant is available to the E-350 Super Duty Ext, and combines with the standard 5-speed automatic transmission (with tow/haul mode) for 305 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. Towing remains maxed out at 10,000 pounds with this big mill, but mileage drops to 10/14.